Fish Tank EMERGENCY

This is a discussion on Fish Tank EMERGENCY within the Beginner Freshwater Aquarium forums, part of the Freshwater Fish and Aquariums category; -->
I'm by no means an expert, but the water itself shouldn't hold that much value. What I would do is keep the substrate as ...

I'm by no means an expert, but the water itself shouldn't hold that much value. What I would do is keep the substrate as you mentioned and take a water sample of the out-going water. Check the pH and try to match the incoming water appropriately.

Beneficial bacteria is "sticky" and it is believed that less than 1% of it resides in the water itself at any given time. Discarding the water shouldn't be too damaging to the tanks ecosystem.

Ok, thank you all for your advice, at the moment, things are looking good. Current stock is in signature. Big issue is still the white residue on the outside of the glass, but doesn't look as bad as it does in the photos. Next job is to sort out the lighting, new lid should be here in a week or so.

The Barbs went back to the LFS, owner was very friendly in taking them back and exchanging them. Went to another store on the way home, some Marble Hatchets caught my eye, apparently they very rarely get them, I have absolutely fallen in love with them, will reserve them tomorrow :)

Were it me ,(and it aint) I would sow down on stocking the tank. You made no mention of quarantining any of the new fish you have placed in the tank. I might wait a couple weeks for the beneficial bacteria and fish to adjust. And I would quarantine any new fish for two weeks minimum. One sick purchase could wipe out the whole tank/ NICE restoration!

seems to be coming along nicely compared to what it was before you started reviving the tank. my approach would have been a little different though considering you have time. 1) take the two surviving fish back to a lfs if they'd take them, if not step 2) ..continued from step one or put and leave the fish in a quarantine tank until you completely rebuild the big tank. salvage the filter media and completely renovate the tank since your going planted. the old subtrate won't sustain much life once all the old crud is used up. getting a plantly friendly substate is a better idea. do a fishless cycle and DO NOT stock until your readings read 0 across the board within a 24hr period that you add the appropiate amount of ammonia. be wise with your investment and don't loose what you don't have to by taking chances. some may not agree but this is only my two cents.

uhoh, i left a few tanks in the hands of family when i left Texas .....i gotta go make some phone calls now!

Your tank is really looking great. What a quick and clean overhaul, very impressive. If I saw my tank like I would have screamed and then passed out. Oh my, I wouldn't want to open up that canister...when i clean mine, the smell could knock out a horse, and that is only after 2 months.
Good Luck with your tank!

^^ I would have screamed too! Just I would have stayed conscious so that I could give the person a talking to!

It's looking great! I would take the advice above and wait a week or two before introducing any new fish though. It's just a good precaution. During that time I'd also set up a 10 gal or so QT tank. I have learned the hard way that a QT tank is a MUST HAVE, not just an option.

I really like the redecorating and the plants :) Was anyone around when you discovered the tank just curious?

Won't be adding more fish for a while, LFS was happy to hold 6 Marble Hatchets for me till I am happy to take them home. Ordered an API Master Test kit from eBay, should be here tomorrow. Also amazed at the amount of plants available on eBay, do you think they should be quarentined before being put in the tank (if I decided to buy), if so, for how long?

Kim, my mother was there when I saw it and was just like "oh yea I think it needs a clean". I was livid to say the least.

ThalesthePearsei, the canister was really nasty when opened, massive amounts of brown slime went down the drain. I called my dog over to give it a sniff to see what his reaction would be, he backed off real quick!